Sen. John Munyes maintains he is still the chairman of FORD KENYA, even after defecting to Jubilee (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3FqDcyr0VM

“Turkana Senator John Munyes maintains he is still the chairman of FORD Kenya, even after defecting to Jubilee. This comes a few days after FORD Kenya top organ plan meets to pick an interim chairman following the defection of its national chair. However Munyes maintians that, he was among the people who participated in forming the party and he will not quit as the chairman” (K24 TV, 2016)

Opinion: The battle for the Presidential Ticket in CORD is only benefitting Jubilee; Odinga and Wetan’gula should step aside for Kalonzo Musyoka if they care about the CORD agreement!

odm-10at10-sep-2016

It is clearly going to be heated in the contest of being the CORD Presidential Candidate. This isn’t a new problem for the Opposition. The Opposition been having this problem and they knew it was coming. It is not like the ruling regime who has two big men under accord; the newly fantastic Jubilee Party that we’re launched at Safaricom Stadium this weekend. Uhuru Kenyatta the principal flagbearer and Presidential Candidate; the second in command is his loyal comrade Vice-President Willam Ruto. So with this in mind the Opposition seeing the Jubilee becoming more structured and even more established the CORD shouldn’t be bickering over who is the head, but how to get ahead.

CORD the coalition of the willing in the Opposition. There three or even four possible candidates in the Opposition. Musalia Mudavadi the leader of Amani National Congress (ANC), Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka the leader of Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM), Moses Wetan’gula, the leader of Forum for Democratic Reform (FORD-Kenya) and Raila Amolo Odinga, the leader of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). So there are enough talent and proven leaders to pick from in the Opposition.

The Opposition has made promised to each other, especially between Odinga, Wetan’gula and Kalonzo Musyoka. These three has been loyal to each other, but also since creating the alliance that gives way to expecting that every leader has their turn. Raila Odinga and the ODM had their chance in the recent election in 2013. So the former VP Odinga by all means after the endorsement in his own party feels obligated to be the Presidential Flag-bearer for the coalition. Still, he should be cautioned about doing so because this will cause friction with the previous agreement for the coalition.

cord-leaders

There are not only hearsay that the three leaders made an Memorandum of Understanding that we’re signed on the 7th December 2012 totally said the direction of the leadership inside the coalition. The article from the MoU that is important for the matter is the same as before:

“This Memorandum of Understanding also expressly states that the CORD Coalition Presidential Candidate for 2013, 2017 and 2022 are Hon. Raila Amullo Odinga, Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and Hon. Moses Wentangula respectively”.

So for 2017 it is supposed to be Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and not the other fellows in the Coalition Party. If Hon. Raila Odinga really want to screw over the Opposition Parties than he has his turn, but then he is not following the pecking order. Because the other leaders are expecting succession; the same is evident for Hon. Moses Wetan’gula that even back a few months wanted to rally for his Presidential Candidacy rally at Muliro Garden in Kakamega on the 4th April 2016. So all of the leaders seem to shuffle the agreement into the drain except for the on leader in the WDM, the ODM and FORD-K should care about their fellow big-men agreements. This isn’t some petty nonsense crap; this is the pivotal agreement that established CORD. The CORD that we see today!

Hon. Wetan’gula and Hon. Odinga know about this, the ones following from the sidelines should know this. The ones who knew shouldn’t be silenced as the ignition before the campaign rallies for 2017 is really starting. They know they are betraying the WDM and Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka and they are doing it in public spreading their words of their intent without regard to the MoU. It proves the validity of the Union of the Alliance as a fragile piece of paper that loses value with time. If the CORD is serious business then they respect the agreement and let bygones be bygones. Instead this can vandalize the alliance.

Do they want to risk for their personal pride and their ability to work together as they go against the ruling party, the newly created function of Jubilee Party that are stronger and more united as they lose 12 parties as they function as ONE. The President and his Vice President are strictly concerned with manifesting the power and rule of engagement before the coming election. They have the upper-hand and continue with it as the Kenyatta Government get free-will of strength, while the Opposition can weaken themselves and their causes.

jubilee-party-launch-10-09-2016

The General Election of 2017 and the coming months will be interesting to see if the Alliances and the loyalties between the fellow Jubilee and Cord will sustain as the deflections and the wish for seats, tickets and security of own fortunes are at stake.

The CORD cannot live with the unfortunate weakness of having three leaders fighting at will for the Presidential Candidate ticket. The thing about Hon. Raila Odinga is that if he pursues this and doesn’t give in, than it’s his own person agenda and not the greater will of CORD or Kenya. Because if that we’re so he would not question the place and time for Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka of WDM. The same will show if the Hon. Wetan’gula of FORD-K asks for his time too. Hon. Wetan’gula in the agreement accepted to wait to 2021. So by that one it’s not his time.

It is not Odinga and Wetan’gula time, if they are gentleman who follows agreements and accords an is not petty men who are there only for their purpose and their own wealth. If they are there for the greater good and for the Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD) than they should step down and run behind Kalonzo Musyoka to strengthen the Opposition and try to win on reform and accountability. As the Jubilee has done enough blunders and done enough questionable acts in their last term for them to tear they’re possible pledges apart.

It is true that the man in question the man in the crossfire, the WDM Kalonzo Musyoka hasn’t even started to fight for or acted upon his just right for the Presidential Ticket. Still the two other candidates and leaders of their own party have now done so. Odinga and Wetan’gula have now both said they want to run. Even Mudavadi (ANC) want’s his ticket on the top of CORD. So there are many men for the one special ticket. But only one who has the right if the MoU still is valid and the guideline for the Political Coalition of all of these opposition parties that are going to campaign to beat the current government and ruling regime Jubilee. If they are internally not sure of whom that is supposed to lead and more fractions.

odinga-kenyatta

If the CORD wants to seriously contend with Jubilee, they need not to fight for the Presidency between themselves. Jubilee is only earning on the internal weakness of CORD. If they want to keep staying Opposition, than they will be so because they couldn’t keep their words, instead of being stronger together; than they could just be a dozen horses running in the race instead of two main Candidates as it can be if the CORD continues to be the Opposition versus Ruling Regime.

I hope that the personal glory, the personal ambition doesn’t overshadow the will of the parties. The two other big-men shouldn’t let their own ambition drive them to hunt for the time set for WDM. That is just common sense, if they do then we know that the deals and agreements don’t matter for Odinga and Wetan’gula as their own pockets and pride means more. Certainly the only ones earning on that is Kenyatta and Ruto. Peace.

Raila Odinga to seek CORD’s Presidential ticket after ODM endorsement (Youtube-Clip)

“ODM leader, Raila Odinga will be seeking Cord’s Presidential ticket for 2017 after the Orange democratic movement endorsed his bid for the top job during this year’s party NDC held in Mombasa today.  Raila Odinga will be battling his co – principals in the Cord Coalition Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula for the chance to seek the vote” (NTV Kenya, 2016)

Press Statement on the “10 at 10” of ODM/CORD event this Weekend in Mombasa (07.09.2016)

hassan-ali-joho-07092016

Further to an announcement by the ODM Deputy Party Leader, H. E Hassan Ali Joho, regarding our “10 At 10” celebration scheduled for this Saturday, my directorate wishes to alert our members and by extension the nation at large of our arrangements for the extravaganza.

Tomorrow, the Deputy Party Leader will have an event to flag off 47 ODM branded buses from Mombasa to each of the forty seven counties of the republic. These buses will provide transport to party delegates from all over Kenya to participate in our jamboree.

Moreover, out of their deep belief in the cause, several party supporters have donated personal vehicles totaling 823 in number nationally which will converge in Mombasa. These vehicles will be branded to comb the entire country mobilizing and rallying the people around our 2017 agenda.

Upon the arrival of the Party Leader on Friday, there will be a series of roadshows as what is expected to be thousands of delegates from all over Kenya will assemble to welcome him to the county of ODM’s birth.

Later that Friday evening, the Deputy Party Leader shall host a private reception in honor of the Rt. Hon Raila Odinga and Mama Ida where 450 MCAs, 110 MPs, 18 Senators and at least 10 Governors have confirmed attendance over and above the delegates from all over Kenya. A team of expert bakers have been tasked to prepare a giant cake for guests to commemorate the event.

On Saturday, we will hold a grand convention of the party where a ground-shaking political announcement shall be made. In the evening, there shall be a celebratory procession on Mama Ngina drive where international award-winning music artist Diamond will jet in from the US to entertain guests in what is billed to be an evening to remember not just for Mombasa but Kenyans at large. The night will conclude with a dramatic fireworks display that promises to leave Kenyans breathless. All aspirants for all positions including MCAs, MPs, Senators and Governors are invited to attend

CORD coalition welcomes the Electrol Bill awaiting presidential assent (Youtube-Clip)

“The opposition CORD coalition has welcomed the move by members of parliament to pass the elections amendment bill 2016 without any amendments hence barring any politicians from party hopping after party primaries. CORD co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula have put their members on notice to make a decision on whether they will stick to CORD or join other political parties before the party primaries. The bill now awaits the president’s assent” (KTN News, 2016).

Devolution CS Kiunjuri tells Cord leader to accept poll 2017 results (Youtube-Clip)

“Devolution cabinet Secretary and Nominated MP Sarah Lekorere asked Cord Leader Raila Odinga to concede defeat if his party is beaten in the 2017 General elections. Speaking in Laikipia the duo maintained that Odinga had already supported the new law barring MPs or political leaders from party hoping and indeed if he meant it, then he should do the same if defeated during the opposition nominations as well as during the general elections” (Kenya NTV, 2016)

Wetangula dismisses push for Mudavadi candidacy (Youtube-Clip)

“Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula has distanced himself from reports that negotiations were underway to ensure that the western region come up with one presidential flag bearer. Wetangula says presidential candidates from western Kenya do not need a mediator to unite them, adding that Luhya unity alone will not guarantee a win in the elections. He spoke in Vihiga County when he paid the governor a courtesy call and later joined African Divai Church faithful at their annual conference” (NTV Kenya, 2016)

Wetangula, Mudavadi seeks to solidify support among western Kenya voters (Youtube-Clip)

“Western Kenya has been keen on getting its share of the pie in as far as occupancy at state house is concerned…and keen to fly that flag from the region drawing the interests of Bungoma senator Moses Wetangula and anc Leader Musalia Mudavadi…however reports of cord wooing Mudavadi into the fold appears to have sent Wetangula, himself a co-principal, into panic…while insiders told Citizen Tv the talks are infact near completion, Wetangula would dismiss such reports…instead, urging Mudavadi to back his bid…but leaders from the area hold a different view—calling upon them to join hands and work together instead of against each other” (Kenya Citizen TV, 2016)

Opinion: The U.S. we’re hoodwinked by Kenyan Government on Dadaab; If not it looks like it!

Dadaab Refugee Camp

The Jubilee Government and their leadership have conned themselves from a giant heist today. The heist includes innocent civilians who fled civil wars and disasters in their home country either in South Sudan, Ethiopia or Somalia for safety in Kenya. The reality is that these refugees are pawns in the money game made-up by the Kenyan Government under the lead of CS Interior Joseph Nkaissery who used his powers to succumb the West with their ideals and wishing for the bail-out they needed.

The Dadaab Refuguee Complex we’re a pawn on the chess-set in the fitted schedule of the Government. Therefore the debt-rising government of Kenya just needed to schedule a closure of the settlement to spread fear of their hospitality. With the sense of national security that they could sell to own citizens and also the international community; the news of the closure just happen about the time the European Union we’re triggering negotiations with Turkey about the immigrations and transport of refugees from the Greek Islands toward the Turkish hinterland. This is the kind of cash-flow that Deputy President William Ruto wanted to taste and also President Uhuru Kenyatta. They got their loyal man CS Nkaissery to speak their peace and pay respects to the Somalian Authorities with threats of serving them the fleeing population back to the shores of Mogadishu. Take a look!

Joint Communique from Kenya and Somalia:

“H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta and H.E President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held bilateral talks at State House Nairobi on Tuesday, 7th June, 2016. The meeting reviewed a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues in particular peace, security and stability in Somalia, repatriation of refugees from Dadaab and economic cooperation” (Full Joint Communique from Kenya & Somalia ‘On Dadaab’, 2016).

Update from Ministry of Interior:

“For reasons of pressing national security that speak to the safety of Kenyans in context of terrorist and criminal activities, the Government of the Republic of Kenya has commenced that exercise of closing Dadaab Refugee Complex. The refugees will be repatriated to their countries of origin or to third party countries for resettlement” (…) “What is worse is that Kenyans have to pay for the water while refugees get it for free, not to mention the enormous economic cost to businesses in Kenya furthered by the use of the camps as smuggling centres for contraband goods. Refugee camps have become centres for poaching human trafficking and proliferation of illicit weapons which compromises Kenya’s international security rating” (…) “Finally, government shall be putting out a timetable for the execution of the representation process once the Taskforce presents in report, which should be ready by or before 31st May” (Kenya Ministry of Interior, 2016)

From the US to Kenya:

“WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, August 23, 2016 – Today, Secretary of State John Kerry announced in Nairobi that the United States is providing more than $146 million in additional U.S. humanitarian assistance to support refugees, voluntary returnees, and drought victims in Kenya and Somalia. This new funding includes a significant new contribution of more than $59 million for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to protect and assist refugees in Kenya, and support voluntary refugee returns to Somalia. In addition, the funding includes new humanitarian assistance of more than $87 million in food and non-food support for refugees and drought victims in Kenya and Somalia. This announcement brings the total of U.S. humanitarian assistance in Kenya and Somalia to nearly $265 million in fiscal year 2016” (…) “The funding announced today will support UNHCR and other international humanitarian organizations as they provide for basic survival of thousands of vulnerable people and durable solutions for refugees, and as they help assist with efforts to improve conditions for return inside Somalia. This contribution is available to support UNHCR’s enhanced plan for the voluntary return and reintegration of Somali refugees from the Dadaab camps and to ensure that any returns that take place from Kenya are truly voluntary, safe and dignified, consistent with international law, and within the framework of the Tripartite Agreement among UNHCR, Kenya and Somalia” (U.S. Department of State, 2016).

Kerry Kenyatta

So the initial plan payed off for the Kenyan Government that they made sure to get extra funds using the Dadaab Refugee Complex and supposedly close it. Well, that doesn’t have to happen if you give us some more donor-aid or general agreement for funding it. Then we can walk away from it. That is how it looks like as the closure of Dadaab happens as the UNHCR and voluntary return of refugees. This is seems like a scheme for me. Not a legit action from the Government of Kenya. They did it when the refugee transports and the negotiations in Europe happen and the Kenyans thought! Why can’t we do the same?

Seemingly with time the U.S. Government knows the issues on the Horn of Africa and in East Africa, as they are allies with Ugandan counterparts, Ethiopian counterparts and also the Kenyans. All of them are involved in the AMISOM mission in Somalia. So the liability of making it more fragile will make it not feasible for the economic development projects from United States to the area if the place turns into shambles. The stability is needed and the Dadaab isn’t a hotbed, but is giant fatigue on the NGOs and the Governments as they are not temporary housing anymore. It’s been static for decades now and the Kenyan wants to get their rewards for their humanitarian activity. So why not the extra donations from the American Government as the looming election and the other prospects as the U.S. Government want to be in peace and diplomatic to the Kenyans.

The Kenyan Government felt the pressure of the International Community as they planned to close the Dadaab. The Multi-National Organizations that are supporting the Camp would be frustrated as much as all the people who wouldn’t have a place to go to or secure future. The mentality of the government proves to what level they will use leverage to gain capital and the fiscal funds. While shipping the rest of the billing are going on the USAID and UNHCR. Peace.

Reference:

U.S. Department of State – ‘Additional Funding for Kenya and Somalia’ (23.08.2016)

Kenya Ministry of Interior & Coordination of National Government – ‘GOVERNMENT STATEMENT AND UPDATE  ON THE REPARATION OF REFUGEES AND SCHEDULED CLOSURE  OF DADAAB REFUGEE CAMP’  (11.05.2016)

Full Joint Communique Republic of Kenya and Federal Republic of Somalia ‘on Dadaab’ (09.06.2016)